By Wendy T Muzite
Gender inequality and patriarchal attitudes have historically prevented women and girls from fully participating in political and civic spaces. This has led to a significant underrepresentation of women in leadership positions, perpetuating a gender imbalance in power dynamics. Moreover, entrenched patriarchal attitudes and biases have resulted in stereotyping and gendered expectations, limited access to education and training, social and cultural norms restricting women’s roles and discrimination consequently, women and girls face significant barriers to political participation, leadership, decision-making processes, economic empowerment and social justice and equality.
As a former Junior Town Clerk sharing my experience, young women and girls faced significant barriers to participating in political and civic spaces due to entrenched patriarchal attitudes that viewed leadership as a male domain. They were often dismissed, undermined, or subjected to sexist treatment when trying to voice their opinions and concerns that’s why we have more males in leading positions than women. More so intersecting forms of marginalization compounded the obstacles faced by young women and girls from low-income backgrounds, rural areas, and minority ethnic/religious groups. Their participation was further hindered by lack of access to education, resources, and support networks.
Wendy T Muzite
In addition, gender norms also limited the ability of young men and boys to meaningfully participate, as they were expected to conform to rigid masculine ideals that discouraged them from displaying vulnerability, empathy, or an interest in “women’s issues.” However, in addressing these challenges there is need for supportive structures, training, and equipping young women and duty bearers in local councils so that through gender responsive policymaking they contribute to meaningful gender transformative change in their communities.
Some of the recommendations for Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing and Local/Council Authorities to consider include:
Gender Responsive Policy making, implementation and oversight
- Development and implementing gender-responsive policy making in ensuring empowerment junior council clerks and councilors are trained and provided with gender technical support so that can involve incorporating gender perspectives, considerations into policy processes, decisions, safeguarding equal opportunities and addressing gender-based disparities.
- Design consultation processes that are accessible and engaging for children. Use age-appropriate language, interactive activities, and child-friendly formats to encourage meaningful participation.
- Consulting youths in their diversity to inform development, implementation of comprehensive anti-discrimination laws and policies to protect the rights of all young people regardless of gender identity or expression.
- Ensure that the policymaking process includes gender-responsive child impact assessments. This involves analyzing how proposed policies, programs may differentially affect boys, girls, and children of diverse gender identities.
- Encourage policymakers to consider the intersections of gender with other factors, such as age, disability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, when analyzing the needs and experiences of children.
- Establish mechanisms for children to track the implementation of policies and provide ongoing feedback. Incorporate child-friendly monitoring and evaluation processes to assess the impact of policies on children.
Gender capacity development
- Provide mandatory gender training for all government officials, policymakers, and community leaders to address deep-rooted biases and harmful attitudes.
- Provide training to policymakers on how to meaningfully engage with children, understand their perspectives, and integrate child-centered approaches into policy development.
Gender Responsive Structures
- Establish child and youth-led gender parity councils or advisory boards to ensure their perspectives are centered in policy development and implementation.
Gender Responsive Budgeting and Resourcing
- Ensure gender responsive budgeting, adequate budget allocation, oversight mechanisms to ensure equitable resource allocation and programming for young people of all genders.
- Allocate sufficient financial and human resources to facilitate child participation, including for training, capacity building, and the implementation of child-centered approaches.
Strengthening partnerships and collaborations
- Establish mechanisms for strengthening partnerships with schools, families, and communities to promote positive masculinity norms and encourage the meaningful participation of young men and boys in gender-related issues.
Leverage digital and social media platforms
- Leverage digital and social media platforms to amplify the voices and experiences of diverse young Zimbabweans, countering dominant gender narratives.
Facilitate child participation in Parliament of Zimbabwe and Cabinet processes
- Create formal mechanisms, such as children’s councils or advisory boards, where children can directly provide input and feedback on policy development for Parliament of Zimbabwe and Cabinet. These channels should be inclusive, representing children of diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- Support the capacity of child-led organizations, youth-focused Non-Governmental Organizations, child advocates to effectively engage in the national policymaking process and amplify the voices of children.
- Create opportunities for children to work alongside adults, such as policymakers and community leaders, to co-design and co-implement gender-responsive policies and programs.
- There is need to ensure that child participation in policymaking aligns with international frameworks, such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which recognize the importance of children’s meaningful engagement.